Heart and Soul April 30
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Jesus repeats in different words what will be the result if a person’s priority is anything other than the cross, the kingdom of heaven.
We are often confused between gross profit and net profit. The apparent wealth of the lottery win is the gross profit. The taxes paid may be substantial, but the change in our own character and the relationships with friends and family may impose a higher cost. The result of a lottery win is often viewed as a net loss.
Our understanding of Jesus’ words may be confused by the translation of the same Greek word, psuche (Strong’s G5590), as life in verse 35 and soul in this verse.
Zoe (Strong’s G2222) is generally translated as life, meaning the vital element of plant, animal, or human. Pneuma (G4151) is the rational and immortal soul of humans. Psuche (G5590) in Strong’s is “breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only…) - heart…, life, mind, soul.” Instead of “soul,” we might insert the word “heart.”
The heart determines the nature of the person. This is the seat of being, the location of the concept of self and its relation to the world. While the mind might be trained to respond in a certain way, the basic instincts remain secure in the heart. This is why a heart of stone that does not know the value of relationship must be removed and replaced with a heart of flesh.
We were made of flesh in the Beginning. Moving to a heart of stone – or electronic chip – destroys our identity. We are cast adrift from the secure land of Oneness with God onto the variable seas of time and chance without a compass, only a mishmash of zeroes and ones.
The Exchange May 1
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
In gaining the world, one must give up the heart of flesh, the heart with one instinct, love. From mankind’s original position between the natural world and the spiritual world, the cross need only be figurative. A loving spiritual vertical connection and a loving physical horizontal connection was the position of those entrusted as stewards of the earth.
Corruption of the spirit resulted in corruption of the physical body, death. A restoration of the spirit, fixed to the spiritual cross between heaven and earth, is a restoration of life as it was meant to be.
“Gaining the world” describes the Fall – Adam and Eve gained the world in the sense that they and the earth were bound together in a struggle. The dominion over earth given to them as regents of God now became a dominion without legitimacy. They must try to assert dominion in their own right.
Or they could submit, return to the original delegated power as regents under God. That is, they could return themselves and the world to God. And we can do the same, return supremacy to God and work with the gifts in nature as co-workers for His glory.
Even if the body’s physical life cannot be restored to an eternal plane, the body ruled by the spirit on earth will experience the peace – as well as the place and purpose – of heaven on earth.
The heart, the seat of the human soul, need only submit to God’s authority to have its own dominion restored as the rightful ruler of self.
Ashamed May 2
Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Shame is a fruit of the flesh for which there originally was no need.
Jesus’ assertion in verse 31 - that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then rise again after three days - was not just a sad commentary on the state of the times in Israel, but was also a promise laced with hope.
Peter’s reaction to this travesty of justice is understandable. That this injustice served a higher purpose is not immediately obvious to the disciples standing in Jesus’ presence. Shame is the logical emotion resulting from an awareness of an action that is wrong, unjust.
The crucifixion engenders shame
Then should we be ashamed of Jesus’ death that brought freedom from bondage to untruths about the character of God?
Execution reveals the weakness of the executor, that there is not truth in the prevailing power structure that can withstand arguments against it by means other than murder.
Jesus acknowledges there are those who are ashamed of what He speaks, and they will be humbled when they see Jesus in the glory of His Father and the holy angels. In the kingdom of heaven, Jesus will be ashamed for them, that they have missed the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Tasting Death – or Not May 3
Mark 9:1 And He said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
This statement belongs at the end of Chapter 8, but the editors have placed it here as a prelude to the transfiguration.
What represents the reality of “the kingdom of God present with power?” This is key to understanding the verse and the accomplishments of Jesus.
The significant word here is “power,” Strong’s G1411 dunamis. This is not force, as used by an army, for example. According to Merriam-Webster, power is “strength or energy exerted or brought to bear: cause of motion or change: active power.” Dunamis is more specifically miraculous power, or mighty work.
And the word translated as “present” is the verb meaning to make public. The KJV simply says “come,” a more straightforward translation.
Did “miraculous power” come following Jesus’ resurrection? Yes, on the day of Pentecost! As an example, we can see this on the day when Peter spoke and three thousand were converted (Acts 2).
This power is the power of the Holy Spirit working within a person.
This is the power to be able to use a person’s gift for the benefit of all.
This is the power within that comes from knowing our identity as a child of God empowered by the love that has bestowed the gift of opportunity for His service upon us.
A kingdom is any place ruled by a king who has a loyal citizen. The kingdom of heaven come with power in the individual was witnessed and experienced by many in the generation of Jesus’ death, and by many more following that generation.
Transfigured May 4
Mark 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
There is a break of six days in the urgency of the narrative. This pause in an otherwise active ministry is almost like a period of mourning. Jesus has informed the disciples of the necessity of His death. The mourning process allows one to adjust to the new reality that a loved one is no longer present.
The despondence of the small group must have been great. Peter’s reaction of denial was a standard first response to unacceptable news. Like a physical blow to the body that requires time for the bruise to heal, the impact of a death sentence of a loved one requires time for the mind and spirit to heal.
Jesus always goes off alone to pray. Well, almost always. This time He takes three disciples with Him – Peter and the sons of thunder, James and John. He again chooses a wilderness, a place far from the distractions of the world.
He prays. They are surely praying, as well, but their focus is interrupted as their teacher metamorphoses. The Greek word metamorphoō is translated as transfigured. In communion with the Father, Jesus’ appearance takes on a brightness that is unnatural.
We are reminded of Moses’ shining face after He brought the second set of tablets with the Commandments down from Mt. Sinai. His face radiated, perhaps as Jesus now radiated in the presence of the Father.
There is a break in the veil between heaven and earth, and heaven pours out in all its glory. A body of flesh becomes spiritual, and the spirit is unable to be contained by thin walls of skin.
Perhaps this is along the lines of Paul’s writing of Jesus in Philippians 3:21, “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
And Then There Were Three May 5
Mark 9:4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
The great lawgiver and the greatest of the prophets come to Jesus. The law and the prophets that were the precursors meet in the future that is this point in time. Like John the Baptist, these who have preceded Him and looked forward to His day arrive at the time and place of prophecy’s fulfillment.
That these three commune together show that all are in one accord. History and future, law and mercy, and the hopes of the past are met to complete the tapestry begun at the foundation of the world.
Luke 9:31 tells us that they spoke of Jesus’ death to come. Perhaps this was encouragement, as with the angels in Gethsemane.
Peter speaks. The word translated as “answered,” according to Strong’s is, “by Hebraism, to begin to speak (where an address is expected.)”
In the silence following this holy assembly, no words are either expected or adequate. But Peter’s voice breaks the stillness. He feels compelled to say something even though “he did not know what to say.” Silence is a hard lesson.
Peter suggests a tabernacle for each one – Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
The tabernacle is reminiscent of the tent in the wilderness of the Exodus, a habitation for God among His people, a place for Him to dwell. And so Peter would keep Jesus with himself and the other disciples. Peter does not want to lose Jesus to the death that his Teacher has just warned must come.
A Voice May 6
Mark 9:7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
The scene is reminiscent of the Sinai desert. There is a cloud by day for a covering. And a voice brought instructions from on high, words as manna come down to answer their unasked question.
“This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
This is the answer. The Father and the Son are together. No other instruction is needed for them. Their Teacher is with them, and they are to hear Him. And to hear Him, to listen to Him, is to obey Him. And to obey Jesus is to obey God.
The veil between heaven and earth is visibly open only briefly. We have no reason to think that the veil is an impenetrable barrier, but that the key to the lock is not under the control of fallen humans, unprepared for what and Who exists beyond.
A literal portal between heaven and earth is open and then closed. Moses and Elijah had passed between. Jesus also could have passed between, but He did not. Jesus remains with His three burly fishermen. There is a work to be done in faith.
To say there was only Jesus with them almost sounds disrespectful, as if some other person is necessary. Seeing only Jesus, they now can also see all that He represents in history and in the future. This “only” is more than enough.
Next day
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Jesus repeats in different words what will be the result if a person’s priority is anything other than the cross, the kingdom of heaven.
We are often confused between gross profit and net profit. The apparent wealth of the lottery win is the gross profit. The taxes paid may be substantial, but the change in our own character and the relationships with friends and family may impose a higher cost. The result of a lottery win is often viewed as a net loss.
Our understanding of Jesus’ words may be confused by the translation of the same Greek word, psuche (Strong’s G5590), as life in verse 35 and soul in this verse.
Zoe (Strong’s G2222) is generally translated as life, meaning the vital element of plant, animal, or human. Pneuma (G4151) is the rational and immortal soul of humans. Psuche (G5590) in Strong’s is “breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only…) - heart…, life, mind, soul.” Instead of “soul,” we might insert the word “heart.”
The heart determines the nature of the person. This is the seat of being, the location of the concept of self and its relation to the world. While the mind might be trained to respond in a certain way, the basic instincts remain secure in the heart. This is why a heart of stone that does not know the value of relationship must be removed and replaced with a heart of flesh.
We were made of flesh in the Beginning. Moving to a heart of stone – or electronic chip – destroys our identity. We are cast adrift from the secure land of Oneness with God onto the variable seas of time and chance without a compass, only a mishmash of zeroes and ones.
The Exchange May 1
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
In gaining the world, one must give up the heart of flesh, the heart with one instinct, love. From mankind’s original position between the natural world and the spiritual world, the cross need only be figurative. A loving spiritual vertical connection and a loving physical horizontal connection was the position of those entrusted as stewards of the earth.
Corruption of the spirit resulted in corruption of the physical body, death. A restoration of the spirit, fixed to the spiritual cross between heaven and earth, is a restoration of life as it was meant to be.
“Gaining the world” describes the Fall – Adam and Eve gained the world in the sense that they and the earth were bound together in a struggle. The dominion over earth given to them as regents of God now became a dominion without legitimacy. They must try to assert dominion in their own right.
Or they could submit, return to the original delegated power as regents under God. That is, they could return themselves and the world to God. And we can do the same, return supremacy to God and work with the gifts in nature as co-workers for His glory.
Even if the body’s physical life cannot be restored to an eternal plane, the body ruled by the spirit on earth will experience the peace – as well as the place and purpose – of heaven on earth.
The heart, the seat of the human soul, need only submit to God’s authority to have its own dominion restored as the rightful ruler of self.
Ashamed May 2
Mark 8:38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Shame is a fruit of the flesh for which there originally was no need.
Jesus’ assertion in verse 31 - that He must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then rise again after three days - was not just a sad commentary on the state of the times in Israel, but was also a promise laced with hope.
Peter’s reaction to this travesty of justice is understandable. That this injustice served a higher purpose is not immediately obvious to the disciples standing in Jesus’ presence. Shame is the logical emotion resulting from an awareness of an action that is wrong, unjust.
The crucifixion engenders shame
- for a generation, for those in the time and place that it occurred;
- for those who actively participated in the condemnation of an innocent man;
- needlessly in the disciples and followers of Jesus who did not, could not, prevent it from happening.
Then should we be ashamed of Jesus’ death that brought freedom from bondage to untruths about the character of God?
Execution reveals the weakness of the executor, that there is not truth in the prevailing power structure that can withstand arguments against it by means other than murder.
Jesus acknowledges there are those who are ashamed of what He speaks, and they will be humbled when they see Jesus in the glory of His Father and the holy angels. In the kingdom of heaven, Jesus will be ashamed for them, that they have missed the kingdom of heaven on earth.
Tasting Death – or Not May 3
Mark 9:1 And He said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
This statement belongs at the end of Chapter 8, but the editors have placed it here as a prelude to the transfiguration.
What represents the reality of “the kingdom of God present with power?” This is key to understanding the verse and the accomplishments of Jesus.
The significant word here is “power,” Strong’s G1411 dunamis. This is not force, as used by an army, for example. According to Merriam-Webster, power is “strength or energy exerted or brought to bear: cause of motion or change: active power.” Dunamis is more specifically miraculous power, or mighty work.
And the word translated as “present” is the verb meaning to make public. The KJV simply says “come,” a more straightforward translation.
Did “miraculous power” come following Jesus’ resurrection? Yes, on the day of Pentecost! As an example, we can see this on the day when Peter spoke and three thousand were converted (Acts 2).
This power is the power of the Holy Spirit working within a person.
This is the power to be able to use a person’s gift for the benefit of all.
This is the power within that comes from knowing our identity as a child of God empowered by the love that has bestowed the gift of opportunity for His service upon us.
A kingdom is any place ruled by a king who has a loyal citizen. The kingdom of heaven come with power in the individual was witnessed and experienced by many in the generation of Jesus’ death, and by many more following that generation.
Transfigured May 4
Mark 9:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
There is a break of six days in the urgency of the narrative. This pause in an otherwise active ministry is almost like a period of mourning. Jesus has informed the disciples of the necessity of His death. The mourning process allows one to adjust to the new reality that a loved one is no longer present.
The despondence of the small group must have been great. Peter’s reaction of denial was a standard first response to unacceptable news. Like a physical blow to the body that requires time for the bruise to heal, the impact of a death sentence of a loved one requires time for the mind and spirit to heal.
Jesus always goes off alone to pray. Well, almost always. This time He takes three disciples with Him – Peter and the sons of thunder, James and John. He again chooses a wilderness, a place far from the distractions of the world.
He prays. They are surely praying, as well, but their focus is interrupted as their teacher metamorphoses. The Greek word metamorphoō is translated as transfigured. In communion with the Father, Jesus’ appearance takes on a brightness that is unnatural.
We are reminded of Moses’ shining face after He brought the second set of tablets with the Commandments down from Mt. Sinai. His face radiated, perhaps as Jesus now radiated in the presence of the Father.
There is a break in the veil between heaven and earth, and heaven pours out in all its glory. A body of flesh becomes spiritual, and the spirit is unable to be contained by thin walls of skin.
Perhaps this is along the lines of Paul’s writing of Jesus in Philippians 3:21, “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
And Then There Were Three May 5
Mark 9:4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
The great lawgiver and the greatest of the prophets come to Jesus. The law and the prophets that were the precursors meet in the future that is this point in time. Like John the Baptist, these who have preceded Him and looked forward to His day arrive at the time and place of prophecy’s fulfillment.
That these three commune together show that all are in one accord. History and future, law and mercy, and the hopes of the past are met to complete the tapestry begun at the foundation of the world.
Luke 9:31 tells us that they spoke of Jesus’ death to come. Perhaps this was encouragement, as with the angels in Gethsemane.
Peter speaks. The word translated as “answered,” according to Strong’s is, “by Hebraism, to begin to speak (where an address is expected.)”
In the silence following this holy assembly, no words are either expected or adequate. But Peter’s voice breaks the stillness. He feels compelled to say something even though “he did not know what to say.” Silence is a hard lesson.
Peter suggests a tabernacle for each one – Moses, Elijah, and Jesus.
The tabernacle is reminiscent of the tent in the wilderness of the Exodus, a habitation for God among His people, a place for Him to dwell. And so Peter would keep Jesus with himself and the other disciples. Peter does not want to lose Jesus to the death that his Teacher has just warned must come.
A Voice May 6
Mark 9:7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
The scene is reminiscent of the Sinai desert. There is a cloud by day for a covering. And a voice brought instructions from on high, words as manna come down to answer their unasked question.
“This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
This is the answer. The Father and the Son are together. No other instruction is needed for them. Their Teacher is with them, and they are to hear Him. And to hear Him, to listen to Him, is to obey Him. And to obey Jesus is to obey God.
The veil between heaven and earth is visibly open only briefly. We have no reason to think that the veil is an impenetrable barrier, but that the key to the lock is not under the control of fallen humans, unprepared for what and Who exists beyond.
A literal portal between heaven and earth is open and then closed. Moses and Elijah had passed between. Jesus also could have passed between, but He did not. Jesus remains with His three burly fishermen. There is a work to be done in faith.
To say there was only Jesus with them almost sounds disrespectful, as if some other person is necessary. Seeing only Jesus, they now can also see all that He represents in history and in the future. This “only” is more than enough.
Next day
